Pic story of herdsman's life in China's Inner Mongolia

Mingan-erdeni feels the pulse of a herdsman at his home in Otog Banner of Ordos, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, Oct. 16, 2023.

Dorji is a 61-year-old herdsman living in Otog Banner. During the autumn season, Dorji's daily routine includes herding horses and goats. He has over 200 Arabas cashmere goats, which provide sound economic returns.

In his spare time, Dorji participates in a local cultural activity called "Nair" with his 91-year-old father, Mingan-erdeni. "Nair" dates back to the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and is a form of folk art that involves playing musical instruments, singing, and dancing. It has been listed as a regional intangible cultural heritage in Inner Mongolia.

Mingan-erdeni, a former rural doctor, encouraged his neighbors to form a "Nair" band in 2018. This band not only represents the preservation of the "Nair" culture but also serves as an important means to enrich the spiritual life of these senior herdsmen. Harvesting and music together make up the autumn life of Dorji and many other herdsmen in Ordos. (Xinhua/Bei He)